Netflix Launches Battle Against ISP Data Caps

More and more people are ignoring their cable package to focus on streaming services, so internet service providers have opted to make some bucks from data caps. If you go over your plan's monthly streaming limit, you may find yourself penalized on your next cable bill. Fortunately, Netflix is now stepping in to take action against the practice.

As Ars Technica reports, Netflix submitted a filing with the FCC, asking them to take a look at "unreasonable" data caps and consider lifting them.

"Data caps (especially low data caps) and usage-based pricing ('UBP') discourage a consumer's consumption of broadband, and may impede the ability of some households to watch Internet television in a manner and amount that they would like," Netflix wrote. "For this reason, the Commission should hold that data caps on fixed-­line networks ­­and low data caps on mobile networks­­ may unreasonably limit Internet television viewing and are inconsistent with Section 706."

Section 706 is a part of the Telecommunications Act, which insists that advanced telecommunications capability be available to all Americans in a timely and reasonable manner.

While this is currently an American battle, one would hope that it'd eventually make its way up to Canada. After all, these new episodes of Luke Cage aren't going to stream themselves.